Sponsor drops bill to eliminate Vanderbilt police

NASHVILLE (AP) — State Rep. Mark Pody has dropped his bill seeking to strip Vanderbilt University of its police powers because of the school's nondiscrimination policy for student groups.

The Tennessean newspaper reports (http://tnne.ws/103BM6p) that the Lebanon Republican announced in a statement on Monday that he would no longer pursue the measure that the state attorney general previously raised constitutional concerns about.

To be sanctioned by the university, Vanderbilt student groups must open membership to all students and allow all members in good standing to seek leadership posts. Christian groups have protested the policy, saying it forces them to allow nonbelievers and gay students to join.

Vanderbilt officials say that about 15 student groups have refused to comply with the policy and more than 480 groups have accepted it.

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